Attempted shoplifter, 43, died outside Sainsbury’s after being restrained by security guards

An attempted shoplifter died after he was held face down at a branch of Sainsbury’s for over 30 minutes, an inquest has heard.

Ramunas Paskauskas, 43, was initially detained by two security officers in a training room at the supermarket in Spalding, Lincolnshire, during the incident in January 2019.

Paskauskas, who was born in Lithuania, was said to be “threatening and aggressive”, and his behaviour had worsened because he had consumed alcohol, he was confused about what was happening and there was a language barrier.

The inquest into his death at the Myle Cross Centre, in Lincoln, heard the guards – who had little training in restraint – lowered him to the floor but he continued to be aggressive and so they restrained him in a prone position, face down.

They were then assisted by Sainsbury's staff who had no training in the technique at all, the inquest was told.

Paskauskas' health deteriorated and he died at Lincoln County Hospital on 8 January, 2019.

The medical cause of death was multi-organ hypoxic/ischaemic injury, respiratory and cardiac arrests and restraint in the prone position.

A jury which considered the evidence during the inquest reached a conclusion of death by misadventure.

The jury foreman said: "Whilst restraint was provided in a manner to counter the resistance being displayed by Paskauskas, the security team had little training and experience of applying physical restraint or recognising the risks associated.

“The Sainsbury's persons had no training in these matters."

They added: "The deceased died as a result of the injuries sustained during this restraint period.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said after the inquest: “We supported the police and coroner on this matter and acknowledge that this case has now concluded.

“Our thoughts are with Mr Paskauskas’ friends and family.”